T cells with increased immunosuppression resistance

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the treatment of cancer in an individual by administration of a population of modified T cells that express a recombinant cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or a fragment thereof and an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells in the individual. Populations of modified T cells and methods of producing populations of modified T cells are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 or 365 to GB Application No. 1616238.0, filed Sep. 23, 2016. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL IN ASCII TEXT FILE

This application incorporates by reference the Sequence Listing contained in the following ASCII text file:

a) File name: 54981000001_seqlist.txt; created Feb. 22, 2018, 46 KB in size.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the modification of T cells to increase their resistance to immunosuppression and the use of modified T cells in immunotherapy, for example for the treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND

T cells (or T lymphocytes) are found widely distributed within tissues and the tumour environment. T cells are distinguished from other lymphocytes by the presence of T cell receptors (TCRs) on the cell surface. The TCR is a multi-subunit transmembrane complex that mediates the antigen-specific activation of T cells. The TCR confers antigen specificity on the T cell, by recognising an antigen peptide ligand that is presented on the target cell by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule.

Although peptides derived from altered or mutated proteins in tumour target cells can be recognised as foreign by T cells expressing specific TCRs, many antigens on tumour cells are simply upregulated or overexpressed (so called self-antigens) and do not induce a functional T cell response. Therefore, studies have focussed on identifying target tumour antigens which are expressed, or highly expressed, in the malignant but not the normal cell type. Examples of such targets include the cancer/testis (CT) antigen NY-ESO-1, which is expressed in a wide array of human cancers but shows restricted expression in normal tissues (Chen Y-T et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1997; 94(5): 1914-1918), and the MAGE-A family of CT antigens which are expressed in a very limited number of healthy tissues (Scanlan M. J. et al. Immunol Rev. 2002; 188:22-32).

Identification of such antigens has promoted the development of targeted T cell-based immunotherapy, which has the potential to provide specific and effective cancer therapy (Ho, W. Y. et al. Cancer Cell 2003; 3:1318-1328; Morris, E. C. et al. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 2003; 131:1-7; Rosenberg, S. A. Nature 2001; 411:380-384; Boon, T. and van der Bruggen P. J. Exp. Med. 1996; 183:725-729).

However, the microenvironment of a tumour is often immunosuppressive and prevents the successful immunotherapy of cancer (Rabinovich G. A. et al. Annu Rev Immunol. 2007; 25:267-296). Extracellular adenosine is a known inhibitor of immune function. High levels of adenosine in tumours have been found to play a significant role in the evasion of anti-tumour immune responses (Blay J. et al. Cancer Res. 1997; 57:2602-2605; Ohta A. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006; 103:13132-13137). The adenosine-rich environment in tumours may induce T cell anergy (Zarek P. E. et al. Blood 2008; 111:251-259; Ohta A. et al. J Immunol. 2009; 183:5487-5493), increase production of immunosuppressive cytokines (e.g., TGF-beta, IL-10) (Zarek P. E. et al. supra; Nowak M. et al. Eur J Immunol. 2010; 40:682-687), and discourage cellular immune responses by targeting antigen-presenting cells (Hasko G. et al. Faseb J. 2000; 1 4:2065-2074; Panther E. et al. Blood 2003; 101:3985-3990).

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is also known to be an inhibitor of immune functions and has been widely demonstrated to suppress both innate and antigen-specific immunity (Phipps R. P. et al. Immunol Today. 1991; 12:349-352; Harris S. G. et al. Trends Immunol. 2002; 23:144-150).

T cell-based immunotherapies which are more able to cope with the hostile tumour environment would be useful in providing more effective cancer therapy.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognised that the cytotoxicity of T cells targeting tumour cells may be increased by the inhibition of cAMP signalling for example through recombinant expression of a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or fragment thereof. T cells modified to express a cAMP PDE or fragment thereof may therefore be useful in cancer immunotherapy.

An aspect of the invention provides a method of treating cancer in an individual comprising;

-   -   administering to the individual a population of T cells that         express a recombinant cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or a fragment         thereof and an antigen receptor which binds specifically to         cancer cells in the individual.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a population of modified T cells comprising;

-   -   providing a population of T cells obtained from an individual,         and     -   modifying the T cells to express a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE)         or a fragment thereof, thereby producing a population of         modified T cells.

In some embodiments, the T cells may express an endogenous antigen receptor, such as a T cell receptor (TCR), which binds specifically to cancer cells from the individual. In other embodiments, a method may further comprise modifying the T cells to express an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells from the individual. The T cells may be modified to express the antigen receptor before, after or at the same time as they are modified to express the cAMP PDE or fragment.

Following modification, the population of modified T cells may be expanded, stored and/or formulated into a pharmaceutical composition.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating cancer in an individual comprising;

-   -   providing a population of T cells obtained from a donor         individual,     -   modifying the T cells to express a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE)         or a fragment thereof, thereby producing a population of         modified T cells, and     -   administering the population of modified T cells to a recipient         individual.

In some embodiments, the T cells may express an endogenous antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells from the donor individual. In other embodiments, a method may further comprise modifying the T cells to express an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells from the donor individual. The T cells may be modified to express the antigen receptor before, after or at the same time as they are modified to express the cAMP PDE or fragment.

The donor individual and the recipient individual may be the same (i.e. autologous treatment; the modified T cells are obtained from an individual who is subsequently treated with the modified T cells) or the donor individual and the recipient individual may be different (i.e. allogeneic treatment; the modified T cells are obtained from one individual and subsequently used to treat a different individual).

Another aspect of the invention provides a population of modified T cells which express an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells and a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or fragment thereof, wherein said cells comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding the cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or fragment thereof.

The antigen receptor may be endogenous or may be a recombinant antigen receptor encoded by heterologous nucleic acid.

Other aspects of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified T cells described above, methods of treatment comprising administering the modified T cells or pharmaceutical compositions to an individual and modified T cells or pharmaceutical compositions for use in a method of treatment, for example, a method of treatment of cancer in an individual.

Other aspects of the invention provide nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells and a nucleotide sequence encoding a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) or fragment thereof, vectors comprising the nucleic acid, including lentiviral vectors, and methods of making viral particles comprising the vectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows plasmid maps of lentivectors expressing the NY-ESO^(c259) T cell receptor in tandem with PDE4C (FIG. 1a ) or PDE7A (FIG. 1b ).

FIG. 2 shows target cell killing kinetics by NY-ESO specific T cells that overexpress PDE7A. FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b (data from two donors) show that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing PDE7A have increased ability to induce apoptosis in A375 melanoma target cells compared to NY-ESO specific T cells alone.

FIG. 3 shows that overexpression of PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells confers resistance to inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E2. FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b (data from two donors) show that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing PDE7A are resistant to the T cell-inhibitory effects of PGE2, demonstrating A375 melanoma target cell killing ability that is comparable to that shown by the same T cells in the absence of PGE2.

FIG. 4 shows that overexpression of PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells confers partial resistance to the inhibitory effects of forskolin on T cell killing ability. FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b (data from two donors) show that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing PDE7A demonstrate superior killing ability in the presence of forskolin than NY-ESO specific T cells that do not overexpress PDE7A (ADB869 T cells).

FIG. 5 shows that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing PDE7A are partially resistant to the inhibition of cytokine release by mediators that increase intracellular cAMP. Overexpression of PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells partially overcomes the inhibitory effects of forskolin (FIG. 5a ), adenosine (FIG. 5b ) and PGE2 (FIG. 5c ) on IFN-γ secretion.

FIG. 6 shows that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing PDE4C are partially resistant to the inhibition of cytokine release by mediators that increase intracellular cAMP. FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b (data from two donors) show that overexpression of PDE4C in NY-ESO specific T cells partially blocks the inhibitory effects of PGE2 and forskolin on IFN-γ secretion.

FIG. 7 shows the results of a lentiviral transduction using the NY-ESO receptor alone (NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR), NY-ESO receptor in combination with full-length PDE7A (NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+full length PDE7A) and NY-ESO receptor in combination with truncated PDE7A (NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+truncated PDE7A).

FIG. 8 shows the transduction efficiency and TCR expression levels for NY-ESO TCRs following transduction with full-length and truncated PDE7A.

FIG. 9 shows target cell killing kinetics by NY-ESO specific T cells that overexpress full-length or truncated PDE7A in the presence and absence of PGE2. FIG. 9b shows comparable killing ability for all constructs in the absence of inhibitors. FIG. 9c shows that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing full-length or truncated PDE7A demonstrate superior killing ability in the presence of PGE2 than NY-ESO specific T cells that do not overexpress PDE7A.

FIG. 10 shows that NY-ESO specific T cells overexpressing full-length or truncated PDE7A are partially resistant to the inhibition of cytokine release by mediators that increase intracellular cAMP. FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b (data from two donors) show that overexpression of full-length or truncated PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells partially blocks the inhibitory effects of PGE2 and forskolin on IFN-γ secretion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to methods of increasing the resistance of anti-tumour T cells to the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumours through recombinant expression of a cAMP PDE or a fragment of a cAMP PDE. Reducing cAMP signalling through expression of a cAMP PDE or fragment thereof is shown herein to increase the resistance of anti-tumour T cells to inhibition by adenosine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Modified T cells with increased resistance to inhibition may display increased cytotoxicity and/or cytokine release relative to unmodified T cells. Anti-tumour T cells modified to express cAMP PDE or a cAMP PDE fragment as described herein may be useful in immunotherapy, for example adoptive cell transfer (ACT) for the treatment of cancer.

T cells (also called T lymphocytes) are white blood cells that play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. T cells can be distinguished from other lymphocytes by the presence of a T cell receptor (TCR) on the cell surface. There are several types of T cells, each type having a distinct function.

T helper cells (T_(H) cells) are known as CD4⁺ T cells because they express the CD4 surface glycoprotein. CD4⁺ T cells play an important role in the adaptive immune system and help the activity of other immune cells by releasing T cell cytokines and helping to suppress or regulate immune responses. They are essential for the activation and growth of cytotoxic T cells.

Cytotoxic T cells (T_(C) cells, CTLs, killer T cells) are known as CD8⁺ T cells because they express the CD8 surface glycoprotein. CD8⁺ T cells act to destroy virus-infected cells and tumour cells. Most CD8⁺ T cells express TCRs that can recognise a specific antigen displayed on the surface of infected or damaged cells by a class I MHC molecule. Specific binding of the TCR and CD8 glycoprotein to the antigen and MHC molecule leads to T cell-mediated destruction of the infected or damaged cells.

T cells for use as described herein may be CD4⁺ T cells; CD8⁻ T cells; or CD4⁺ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells. For example, the T cells may be a mixed population of CD4⁺ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells.

Suitable T cells for use as described herein may be obtained from a donor individual. In some embodiments, the donor individual may be the same person as the recipient individual to whom the T cells will be administered following modification and expansion as described herein (autologous treatment). In other embodiments, the donor individual may be a different person to the recipient individual to whom the T cells will be administered following modification and expansion as described herein (allogeneic treatment). For example, the donor individual may be a healthy individual who is human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched (either before or after donation) with a recipient individual suffering from cancer.

A method described herein may comprise the step of obtaining T cells from an individual and/or isolating T cells from a sample obtained from an individual with cancer.

A population of T cells may be isolated from a blood sample. Suitable methods for the isolation of T cells are well known in the art and include, for example fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS: see for example, Rheinherz et al (1979) PNAS 76 4061), cell panning (see for example, Lum et al (1982) Cell Immunol 72 122) and isolation using antibody coated magnetic beads (see, for example, Gaudernack et al 1986 J Immunol Methods 90 179).

CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells may be isolated from the population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from a blood sample. PBMCs may be extracted from a blood sample using standard techniques. For example, ficoll may be used in combination with gradient centrifugation (Böyum A. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1968; 21(Suppl0.97):77-89), to separate whole blood into a top layer of plasma, followed by a layer of PBMCs and a bottom fraction of polymorphonuclear cells and erythrocytes. In some embodiments, the PBMCs may be depleted of CD14⁺ cells (monocytes).

Following isolation, the T cells may be activated. Suitable methods for activating T cells are well known in the art. For example, the isolated T cells may be exposed to a T cell receptor (TCR) agonist. Suitable TCR agonists include ligands, such as a peptide displayed on a class I or II MHC molecule on the surface of an antigen presenting cell, such as a dendritic cell, and soluble factors, such as anti-TCR antibodies.

An anti-TCR antibody may specifically bind to a component of the TCR, such as εCD3, αCD3 or αCD28. Anti-TCR antibodies suitable for TCR stimulation are well-known in the art (e.g. OKT3) and available from commercial suppliers (e.g. eBioscience CO USA). In some embodiments, T cells may be activated by exposure to anti-αCD3 antibodies and IL2. More preferably, T cells are activated by exposure to anti-αCD3 antibodies and anti-αCD28 antibodies. The activation may occur in the presence or absence of CD14⁻ monocytes. Preferably, the T cells may be activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibody coated beads. For example, PBMCs or T cell subsets including CD4⁺ and/or CD8⁺ cells may be activated, without feeder cells (antigen presenting cells) or antigen, using antibody coated beads, for example magnetic beads coated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies, such as Dynabeads® Human T-Activator CD3/CD28 (ThermoFisher Scientific).

Following isolation and activation, the T cells may be modified to express cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE) or a fragment of a cAMP PDE.

The cAMP PDE or fragment inhibits cAMP signalling in a cell by hydrolysing phosphodiester bonds and catalysing the decomposition of adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic phosphate (cyclic adenosine monophosphate; cAMP) to adenosine 5′-phosphate (adenosine monophosphate; AMP) (EC3.1.4.17; EC 3.1.4.53) and/or by directly inhibiting cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) (see for example, Han et al (2006) JBC 281 22 15050-15057). For example, a cAMP PDE or cAMP PDE fragment may (i) inhibit the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) (ii) catalyse the decomposition of cAMP, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

Suitable cAMP PDEs are well-known in the art and include PDE1, PDE2, PDE3, PDE4, PDE7, PDE8, PDE10 and PDE11. In some preferred embodiments, the cAMP PDE may be PDE4 or PDE7.

PDE7 may include PDE7A (Gene ID 5150) and may comprise the amino acid sequence having the database reference CCDS56538.1; NP_001229247.1 GI: 334085277 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or CCDS34901.1; NP_002594.1 GI: 24429566.

PDE4 may include PDE4A (Gene ID 5141) and PDE4C (Gene ID 5143). PDE4A may comprise the amino acid sequence having the database reference CCDS45961.1; NP_001104777.1 GI: 162329608 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and PDE4C may comprise the amino acid sequence having the database reference CCDS12373.1; NP_000914.2 GI: 115529445 (SEQ ID NO: 3).

The amino acid sequences of other cAMP PDEs are well known in the art and available on public databases.

A cAMP PDE may comprise a cAMP PDE reference amino acid sequence cited herein or may be a variant thereof. A variant may have an amino acid sequence having at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity to the reference amino acid sequence.

Amino acid sequence identity is generally defined with reference to the algorithm GAP (GCG Wisconsin Package™, Accelrys, San Diego Calif.). GAP uses the Needleman & Wunsch algorithm (J. Mol. Biol. (48): 444-453 (1970)) to align two complete sequences that maximizes the number of matches and minimizes the number of gaps. Generally, the default parameters are used, with a gap creation penalty=12 and gap extension penalty=4. Use of GAP may be preferred but other algorithms may be used, e.g. BLAST, psiBLAST or TBLASTN (which use the method of Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215: 405-410), FASTA (which uses the method of Pearson and Lipman (1988) PNAS USA 85: 2444-2448), or the Smith-Waterman algorithm (Smith and Waterman (1981) J. Mol Biol. 147: 195-197), generally employing default parameters.

Particular amino acid sequence variants may differ from a reference sequence by insertion, addition, substitution or deletion of 1 amino acid, 2, 3, 4, 5-10, 10-20 or 20-30 amino acids. In some embodiments, a variant sequence may comprise the reference sequence with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more residues inserted, deleted or substituted. For example, up to 15, up to 20, up to 30 or up to 40 residues may be inserted, deleted or substituted.

In some preferred embodiments, a variant may differ from a reference sequence by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more conservative substitutions. Conservative substitutions involve the replacement of an amino acid with a different amino acid having similar properties. For example, an aliphatic residue may be replaced by another aliphatic residue, a non-polar residue may be replaced by another non-polar residue, an acidic residue may be replaced by another acidic residue, a basic residue may be replaced by another basic residue, a polar residue may be replaced by another polar residue or an aromatic residue may be replaced by another aromatic residue. Conservative substitutions may, for example, be between amino acids within the following groups:

-   -   (i) alanine and glycine;     -   (ii) glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine, and asparagine     -   (iii) arginine and lysine;     -   (iv) asparagine, glutamine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid     -   (v) isoleucine, leucine and valine;     -   (vi) phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan     -   (vii) serine, threonine, and cysteine.

A fragment of a cAMP PDE is a truncated sequence which contains less than the full-length cAMP PDE sequence but which retains some or all of the cAMP signalling inhibition activity. A fragment may be a catalytic fragment that displays cAMP PDE activity or, more preferably a non-catalytic fragment, for example a fragment that inhibits cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA). A fragment of a full-length cAMP PDE sequence may comprise at least 40 amino acids, at least 50 amino acids or at least 60 contiguous amino acids from the full-length cAMP PDE sequence. A fragment may comprise 60 or fewer, 100 or fewer, 200 or fewer or 300 or fewer amino acid residues.

In some embodiments, a cAMP PDE may bind and inhibit the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA). A suitable fragment may comprise one or more copies of a 16-22 amino acid repeat sequence, preferably about 18 amino acids, comprising a PKA pseudosubstrate site, for example a RRGAI motif. A suitable repeat sequence may have the amino acid sequence;

-   -   P(V/N)P(Q/R)(H/Q)(V/L)(L/S)(S/Q)RRGAIS(F/Y)(S/S)SS (SEQ ID NO:         9)

Examples of repeat sequences are highlighted below in SEQ ID NO: 4. A fragment of a full-length cAMP PDE sequence may be an N terminal fragment i.e. the N terminal residue of the fragment may correspond to the N terminal residue of full-length cAMP PDE sequence. For example, an N terminal fragment may comprise at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 75 or at least 100 contiguous amino acids from the N terminal of the full-length cAMP PDE sequence. In some embodiments, a suitable N terminal fragment may comprise amino acids 1 to 57 of SEQ ID NO: 4. In other embodiments, a suitable N terminal fragment may comprise SEQ ID NO: 4.

The recombinant cAMP PDE or fragments thereof expressed in the T cells may comprise a heterologous tag at the C terminal or more preferably the N terminal. A tag is a peptide sequence which is not naturally associated with the cAMP PDE and which forms one member of a specific binding pair. T cells that express the recombinant cAMP PDE may be identified and/or purified by the binding of the other member of the specific binding pair to the tag. For example, the tag may form an epitope which is bound by an anti-tag antibody. This may be useful in identifying modified T cells during treatment.

Suitable tags include for example, MRGS(H)₆ (SEQ ID NO: 10) DYKDDDDK (SEQ ID NO: 11) (FLAG™), T7-, S-(KETAAAKFERQHMDS) (SEQ ID NO: 12), poly-Arg (R₅-6) (SEQ ID NOS: 13-14), poly-His (H₂₋₁₀) (SEQ ID NOS: 15-21), poly-Cys (C₄) (SEQ ID NO: 22), poly-Phe(F₁₁) (SEQ ID NO: 23), poly-Asp(D₅₋₁₆) (SEQ ID NOS: 24-35), SUMO tag (Invitrogen Champion pET SUMO expression system), Strept-tag II (WSHPQFEK) (SEQ ID NO: 40), c-myc (EQKLISEEDL) (SEQ ID NO: 36), Influenza-HA tag (Murray, P. J. et al (1995) Anal Biochem 229, 170-9), Glu-Glu-Phe tag (Stammers, D. K. et al (1991) FEBS Lett 283, 298-302), Tag.100 (Qiagen; 12 aa tag derived from mammalian MAP kinase 2), Cruz tag 09™ (MKAEFRRQESDR (SEQ ID NO: 37), Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc.) and Cruz tag 22™ (MRDALDRLDRLA (SEQ ID NO: 38), Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc.). Known tag sequences are reviewed in Terpe (2003) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 60 523-533. In preferred embodiments, a haemagglutinin (HA) tag, such as YPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO: 39), may be used.

The cAMP PDE or fragment expressed in the modified T cell is a recombinant protein that is encoded by a heterologous nucleic acid i.e. the cAMP PDE is expressed from encoding nucleic acid that has been incorporated into the genome of the T cell by recombinant techniques. cAMP signalling in the modified T cells may be reduced relative to cAMP signalling in unmodified T cells. In some embodiments, cAMP PDE activity in the modified T cells may be at least 5 fold higher, at least 10 fold higher or at least 100 fold higher that cAMP PDE activity in unmodified T cells.

Modification of a T cell to express the cAMP PDE or fragment may comprise introducing the heterologous nucleic acid encoding the cAMP PDE or fragment into the T cell. Suitable methods for the introduction and expression of heterologous nucleic acids into T cells are well-known in the art and described in more detail below.

Following introduction, a modified T cell as described herein may comprise one or more than one copy of the heterologous nucleic acid encoding the cAMP PDE or fragment.

A modified T cell as described herein also expresses an antigen receptor that binds specifically to cancer cells.

The antigen receptor may be a T cell receptor (TCR). TCRs are disulphide-linked membrane anchored heterodimeric proteins, typically comprising highly variable alpha (α) and beta (β) chains expressed as a complex with invariant CD3 chain molecules. T cells expressing these type of TCRs are referred to as α:β (or αβ) T cells. A minority of T cells express an alternative TCR comprising variable gamma (γ) and delta (δ) chains and are referred to as γδ T cells.

Suitable TCRs bind specifically to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the surface of cancer cells that displays a peptide fragment of a tumour antigen. An MHC is a set of cell-surface proteins which allow the acquired immune system to recognise ‘foreign’ molecules. Proteins are intracellularly degraded and presented on the surface of cells by the MHC. MHCs displaying ‘foreign’ peptides, such a viral or cancer associated peptides, are recognised by T cells with the appropriate TCRs, prompting cell destruction pathways. MHCs on the surface of cancer cells may display peptide fragments of tumour antigen i.e. an antigen which is present on a cancer cell but not the corresponding non-cancerous cell. T cells which recognise these peptide fragments may exert a cytotoxic effect on the cancer cell.

In some embodiments, the TCR that binds specifically to cancer cells may be naturally expressed by the T cells (i.e. an endogenous TCR). For example, the T cells may be Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs). TILs may be obtained from an individual with a cancer condition using standard techniques.

More preferably, the TCR is not naturally expressed by the T cells (i.e. the TCR is exogenous or heterologous). Heterologous TCRs may include αβTCR heterodimers. Suitable heterologous TCRs may bind specifically to cancer cells that express a tumour antigen. For example, the T cells may be modified to express a heterologous TCR that binds specifically to MHCs displaying peptide fragments of a tumour antigen expressed by the cancer cells in a specific cancer patient. Tumour antigens expressed by cancer cells in the cancer patient may identified using standard techniques.

A heterologous TCR may be a synthetic or artificial TCR i.e. a TCR that does not exist in nature. For example, a heterologous TCR may be engineered to increase its affinity or avidity for a tumour antigen (i.e. an affinity enhanced TCR). The affinity enhanced TCR may comprise one or more mutations relative to a naturally occurring TCR, for example, one or more mutations in the hypervariable complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the variable regions of the TCR α and β chains. These mutations increase the affinity of the TCR for MHCs that display a peptide fragment of a tumour antigen expressed by cancer cells. Suitable methods of generated affinity enhanced TCRs include screening libraries of TCR mutants using phage or yeast display and are well known in the art (see for example Robbins et al J Immunol (2008) 180(9):6116; San Miguel et al (2015) Cancer Cell 28 (3) 281-283; Schmitt et al (2013) Blood 122 348-256; Jiang et al (2015) Cancer Discovery 5 901).

Preferred affinity enhanced TCRs may bind to cancer cells expressing one or more of the tumour antigens NY-ESO1, PRAME, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), MAGE A4, MAGE A1, MAGE A10 and MAGE B2.

Alternatively, the antigen receptor may be a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). CARs are artificial receptors that are engineered to contain an immunoglobulin antigen binding domain, such as a single-chain variable fragment (scFv). A CAR may, for example, comprise an scFv fused to a TCR CD3 transmembrane region and endodomain. An scFv is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (V_(H)) and light (V_(L)) chains of immunoglobulins, which may be connected with a short linker peptide of approximately 10 to 25 amino acids (Huston J. S. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1988; 85(16):5879-5883). The linker may be glycine-rich for flexibility, and serine or threonine rich for solubility, and may connect the N-terminus of the V_(H) to the C-terminus of the V_(L), or vice versa. The scFv may be preceded by a signal peptide to direct the protein to the endoplasmic reticulum, and subsequently the T cell surface. In the CAR, the scFv may be fused to a TCR transmembrane and endodomain. A flexible spacer may be included between the scFv and the TCR transmembrane domain to allow for variable orientation and antigen binding. The endodomain is the functional signal-transmitting domain of the receptor. An endodomain of a CAR may comprise, for example, intracellular signalling domains from the CD3ζ-chain, or from receptors such as CD28, 41BB, or ICOS. A CAR may comprise multiple signalling domains, for example, but not limited to, CD3z-CD28-41BB or CD3z-CD28-OX40.

The CAR may bind specifically to a tumour-specific antigen expressed by cancer cells. For example, the T cells may be modified to express a CAR that binds specifically to a tumour antigen that is expressed by the cancer cells in a specific cancer patient. Tumour antigens expressed by cancer cells in the cancer patient may identified using standard techniques.

Expression of a heterologous antigen receptor, such as a heterologous TCR or CAR, may alter the immunogenic specificity of the T cells so that they recognise or display improved recognition for one or more tumour antigens that are present on the surface of the cancer cells of an individual with cancer.

In some embodiments, the T cells may display reduced binding or no binding to cancer cells in the absence of the heterologous antigen receptor. For example, expression of the heterologous antigen receptor may increase the affinity and/or specificity of the cancer cell binding of modified T cells relative to unmodified T cells.

The term “heterologous” refers to a polypeptide or nucleic acid that is foreign to a particular biological system, such as a host cell, and is not naturally present in that system. A heterologous polypeptide or nucleic acid may be introduced to a biological system by artificial means, for example using recombinant techniques. For example, heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide may be inserted into a suitable expression construct which is in turn used to transform a host cell to produce the polypeptide. A heterologous polypeptide or nucleic acid may be synthetic or artificial or may exist in a different biological system, such as a different species or cell type. An endogenous polypeptide or nucleic acid is native to a particular biological system, such as a host cell, and is naturally present in that system. A recombinant polypeptide is expressed from heterologous nucleic acid that has been introduced into a cell by artificial means, for example using recombinant techniques. A recombinant polypeptide may be identical to a polypeptide that is naturally present in the cell or may be different from the polypeptides that are naturally present in that cell.

T cells may be modified to express a heterologous antigen receptor which specifically binds to the cancer cells of a cancer patient. The cancer patient may be subsequently treated with the modified T cells. Suitable cancer patients for treatment with the modified T cells may be identified by a method comprising;

-   -   obtaining sample of cancer cells from an individual with cancer         and;     -   identifying the cancer cells as binding to the antigen receptor         expressed by the modified T cells.

Cancer cells may be identified as binding to the antigen receptor by identifying one or more tumour antigens expressed by the cancer cells. Methods of identifying antigens on the surface of cancer cells obtained from an individual with cancer are well-known in the art.

In some embodiments, a heterologous antigen receptor suitable for the treatment of a specific cancer patient may be identified by;

-   -   obtaining sample of cancer cells from an individual with cancer         and;     -   identifying an antigen receptor that specifically binds to the         cancer cells.

An antigen receptor that specifically binds to the cancer cells may be identified for example by identifying one or more tumour antigens expressed by the cancer cells. Methods of identifying antigens on the surface of cancer cells obtained from an individual with cancer are well-known in the art. An antigen receptor which binds to the one or more tumour antigens or which binds to MHC-displayed peptide fragments of the one or more antigens may then be identified, for example from antigen receptors of known specificities or by screening a panel or library of antigen receptors with diverse specificities. Antigen receptors that specifically bind to cancer cells having one or more defined tumour antigens may be produced using routine techniques.

The T cells may be modified to express the identified antigen receptor as described herein.

The cancer cells of an individual suitable for treatment as described herein may express the antigen and may be of correct HLA type to bind the antigen receptor.

Cancer cells may be distinguished from normal somatic cells in an individual by the expression of one or more antigens (i.e. tumour antigens). Normal somatic cells in an individual may not express the one or more antigens or may express them in a different manner, for example at lower levels, in different tissue and/or at a different developmental stage. Tumour antigens may elicit immune responses in the individual. In particular, a tumour antigen may elicit a T cell-mediated immune response against cancer cells in the individual that express the tumour antigen. One or more tumour antigens expressed by cancer cells in a patient may be selected as a target antigen for heterologous receptors on modified T cells.

Tumour antigens expressed by cancer cells may include, for example, cancer-testis (CT) antigens encoded by cancer-germ line genes, such as MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A5, MAGE-A6, MAGE-A7, MAGE-A8, MAGE-A9, MAGE-A10, MAGE-A11, MAGE-A12, GAGE-I, GAGE-2, GAGE-3, GAGE-4, GAGE-5, GAGE-6, GAGE-7, GAGE-8, BAGE-I, RAGE-1, LB33/MUM-1, PRME, NAG, MAGE-Xp2 (MAGE-B2), MAGE-Xp3 (MAGE-B3), MAGE-Xp4 (MAGE-B4), MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2, NY-ESO-I, LAGE-I, SSX-I, SSX-2 (HOM-MEL-40), SSX-3, SSX-4, SSX-5, SCP-I and XAGE and immunogenic fragments thereof (Simpson et al. Nature Rev (2005) 5, 615-625, Gure et al., Clin Cancer Res (2005) 11, 8055-8062; Velazquez et al., Cancer Immun (2007) 7, 11; Andrade et al., Cancer Immun (2008) 8, 2; Tinguely et al., Cancer Science (2008); Napoletano et al., Am J of Obstet Gyn (2008) 198, 99 e91-97).

Other tumour antigens include, for example, overexpressed, upregulated or mutated proteins and differentiation antigens particularly melanocyte differentiation antigens such as p53, ras, CEA, MUC1, PMSA, PSA, tyrosinase, Melan-A, MART-1, gp100, gp75, alpha-actinin-4, Bcr-Abl fusion protein, Casp-8, beta-catenin, cdc27, cdk4, cdkn2a, coa-1, dek-can fusion protein, EF2, ETV6-AML1 fusion protein, LDLR-fucosyltransferaseAS fusion protein, HLA-A2, HLA-A11, hsp70-2, KIAAO205, Mart2, Mum-2, and 3, neo-PAP, myosin class I, OS-9, pml-RAR.alpha. fusion protein, PTPRK, K-ras, N-ras, triosephosphate isomerase, GnTV, Herv-K-mel, NA-88, SP17, and TRP2-Int2, (MART-I), E2A-PRL, H4-RET, IGH-IGK, MYL-RAR, Epstein Barr virus antigens, EBNA, human papillomavirus (HPV) antigens E6 and E7, TSP-180, MAGE-4, MAGE-5, MAGE-6, p185erbB2, p180erbB-3, c-met, nm-23H1, PSA, TAG-72-4, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CAM 17.1, NuMa, K-ras, alpha.-fetoprotein, 13HCG, BCA225, BTAA, CA 125, CA 15-3 (CA 27.29\BCAA), CA 195, CA 242, CA-50, CAM43, CD68\KP1, CO-029, FGF-5, G250, Ga733 (EpCAM), HTgp-175, M344, MA-50, MG7-Ag, MOV18, NB\170K, NY-CO-1, RCAS1, SDCCAG16, TA-90 (Mac-2 binding protein\cyclophilin C-associated protein), TAAL6, TAG72, TLP, TPS and tyrosinase related proteins such as TRP-1, TRP-2.

Other tumour antigens include out-of-frame peptide-MHC complexes generated by the non-AUG translation initiation mechanisms employed by “stressed” cancer cells (Malarkannan et al. Immunity 1999 June; 10(6):681-90).

Other tumour antigens are well-known in the art (see for example WO00/20581; Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy (2000) Eds Stern, Beverley and Carroll, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge) The sequences of these tumour antigens are readily available from public databases but are also found in WO 1992/020356 A1, WO 1994/005304 A1, WO 1994/023031 A1, WO 1995/020974 A1, WO 1995/023874 A1 and WO 1996/026214 A1.

Preferred tumour antigens include NY-ESO1, PRAME, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), MAGE A4, MAGE A1, MAGE A10 and MAGE B2, most preferably NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A10.

NY-ESO-1 is a human tumour antigen of the cancer/testis (CT) family and is frequently expressed in a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma, prostate, transitional cell bladder, breast, lung, thyroid, gastric, head and neck, and cervical carcinoma (van Rhee F. et al. Blood 2005; 105(10): 3939-3944). In addition, expression of NY-ESO-1 is usually limited to germ cells and is not expressed in somatic cells (Scanlan M. J. et al. Cancer Immun. 2004; 4(1)). Suitable affinity enhanced TCRs that bind to cancer cells expressing NY-ESO-1 include NY-ESO-1^(c) ²⁵⁹ .

NY-ESO-1 c²⁵⁹ is an affinity enhanced TCR is mutated at positions 95 and 96 of the alpha chain 95:96LY relative to the wildtype TCR. NY-ESO-1 c²⁵⁹ binds to a peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 157-165 of the human cancer testis Ag NY-ESO-1 (SLLMWITQC) in the context of the HLA-A2+ class 1 allele with increased affinity relative to the unmodified wild type TCR (Robbins et al J Immunol (2008) 180(9):6116).

MAGE-A10 is a highly immunogenic member of the MAGE-A family of CT antigens, and is expressed in germ cells but not in healthy tissue. MAGE-A10 is expressed in high percentages of cancer cells from a number of tumours (Schultz-Thater E. et al. Int J Cancer. 2011; 129(5):1137-1148).

The modification of T cells and their subsequent expansion may be performed in vitro and/or ex vivo.

T cells may be modified to express a cAMP PDE or fragment of a cAMP PDE, and, optionally an antigen receptor, by the introduction of heterologous encoding nucleic acid into the T cells.

In some embodiments, heterologous nucleic acid encoding cAMP PDE or fragment of a cAMP PDE and antigen receptor are introduced into the T cells in the same expression vector. This may be helpful in increasing the proportion of T cells which express both genes after transduction. In other embodiments, heterologous nucleic acid encoding cAMP PDE and antigen receptor may be introduced into the T cells in different expression vectors.

The cAMP PDE or fragment and the antigen receptor may be expressed in the same transcript as a fusion protein and subsequently separated, for example using a site-specific protease. Alternatively, the cAMP PDE or fragment and the antigen receptor may be expressed in different transcripts.

For example, a fusion protein comprising truncated cAMP PDE and an NY-ESO TCR may be expressed. The fusion protein may comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a variant thereof and may be encoded by a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or a variant thereof. Alternatively, a fusion protein comprising truncated cAMP PDE and an MAGE-A4 TCR may be expressed. The fusion protein may comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8 or a variant thereof and may be encoded by a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 or a variant thereof.

Nucleic acid encoding an antigen receptor may encode all the sub-units of the receptor. For example, nucleic acid encoding a TCR may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a TCR α chain and a nucleotide sequence encoding a TCR β chain.

Nucleic acid may be introduced into the T cells by any convenient method. When introducing or incorporating a heterologous nucleic acid into a T cell, certain considerations must be taken into account, well-known to those skilled in the art. The nucleic acid to be inserted should be assembled within a construct or vector which contains effective regulatory elements which will drive transcription in the T cell. Suitable techniques for transporting the constructor vector into the T cell are well known in the art and include calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran, electroporation, liposome-mediated transfection and transduction using retrovirus or other virus, e.g. vaccinia or lentivirus. For example, solid-phase transduction may be performed without selection by culture on retronectin-coated, retroviral vector-preloaded tissue culture plates.

Preferably, nucleic acid encoding a cAMP PDE or fragment and, optionally, an antigen receptor may be contained in a viral vector, most preferably a gamma retroviral vector or a lentiviral vector, such as a VSVg-pseudotyped lentiviral vector. The T cells may be transduced by contact with a viral particle comprising the nucleic acid. Viral particles for transduction may be produced according to known methods. For example, HEK293T cells may be transfected with plasmids encoding viral packaging and envelope elements as well as a lentiviral vector comprising the coding nucleic acid. A VSVg-pseudotyped viral vector may be produced in combination with the viral envelope glycoprotein G of the Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVg) to produce a pseudotyped virus particle.

Many known techniques and protocols for manipulation and transformation of nucleic acid, for example in preparation of nucleic acid constructs, introduction of DNA into cells and gene expression are described in detail in Protocols in Molecular Biology, Second Edition, Ausubel et al. eds. John Wiley & Sons, 1992.

Following the introduction of nucleic acid into the T cells, the initial population of modified T cells may be cultured in vitro such that the modified T cells proliferate and expand the population.

The modified T cell population may for example be expanded using magnetic beads coated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. The modified T cells may be cultured using any convenient technique to produce the expanded population. Suitable culture systems include stirred tank fermenters, airlift fermenters, roller bottles, culture bags or dishes, and other bioreactors, in particular hollow fibre bioreactors. The use of such systems is well-known in the art.

Numerous culture media suitable for use in the proliferation of T cells ex vivo are available, in particular complete media, such as AIM-V, Iscoves medium and RPMI-1640 (Invitrogen-GIBCO). The medium may be supplemented with other factors such as serum, serum proteins and selective agents. For example, in some embodiments, RPMI-1640 medium containing 2 mM glutamine, 10% FBS, 25 mM HEPES, pH 7.2, 1% penicillin-streptomycin, and 55 μM β-mercaptoethanol and optionally supplemented with 20 ng/ml recombinant IL-2 may be employed. The culture medium may be supplemented with the agonistic or antagonist factors described above at standard concentrations which may readily be determined by the skilled person by routine experimentation.

Conveniently, cells are cultured at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO₂ in a suitable culture medium.

Methods and techniques for the culture of T cells and other mammalian cells are well-known in the art (see, for example, Basic Cell Culture Protocols, C. Helgason, Humana Press Inc. U.S. (15 Oct. 2004) ISBN: 1588295451; Human Cell Culture Protocols (Methods in Molecular Medicine S.) Humana Press Inc., U.S. (9 Dec. 2004) ISBN: 1588292223; Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, R. Freshney, John Wiley & Sons Inc (2 Aug. 2005) ISBN: 0471453293, Ho W Y et al J Immunol Methods. (2006) 310:40-52)

In some embodiments, it may be convenient to isolate and/or purify the modified T cells from the population. Any convenient technique may be used, including FACS and antibody coated magnetic particles.

Optionally, the population of modified T cells produced as described herein may be stored, for example by lyophilisation and/or cryopreservation, before use.

A population of modified T cells may be admixed with other reagents, such as buffers, carriers, diluents, preservatives and/or pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Suitable reagents are described in more detail below. A method described herein may comprise admixing the population of modified T cells with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration (e.g. by infusion), include aqueous and non-aqueous isotonic, pyrogen-free, sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, preservatives, stabilisers, bacteriostats, and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. Examples of suitable isotonic vehicles for use in such formulations include Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Solution, or Lactated Ringer's Injection. Suitable vehicles can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th edition, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1990.

In some preferred embodiments, the modified T cells may be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition suitable for intravenous infusion into an individual.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein pertains to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g., human) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each carrier, excipient, etc. must also be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.

An aspect of the invention provides a population of modified T cells expressing a recombinant cAMP PDE or fragment thereof and an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells. A suitable population may be produced by a method described above.

The population of modified T cells may be for use as a medicament. For example, a population of modified T cells as described herein may be used in cancer immunotherapy therapy, for example adoptive T cell therapy.

Other aspects of the invention provide the use of a population of modified T cells as described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer, a population of modified T cells as described herein for the treatment of cancer, and a method of treatment of cancer may comprise administering a population of modified T cells as described herein to an individual in need thereof.

The population of modified T cells may be autologous i.e. the modified T cells were originally obtained from the same individual to whom they are subsequently administered (i.e. the donor and recipient individual are the same). A suitable population of modified T cells for administration to the individual may be produced by a method comprising providing an initial population of T cells obtained from the individual, modifying the T cells to express a cAMP PDE or fragment thereof and an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells in the individual, and culturing the modified T cells.

The population of modified T cells may be allogeneic i.e. the modified T cells were originally obtained from a different individual to the individual to whom they are subsequently administered (i.e. the donor and recipient individual are different). The donor and recipient individuals may be HLA matched to avoid GVHD and other undesirable immune effects. A suitable population of modified T cells for administration to a recipient individual may be produced by a method comprising providing an initial population of T cells obtained from a donor individual, modifying the T cells to express a cAMP PDE or fragment thereof and an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells in the recipient individual, and culturing the modified T cells.

Following administration of the modified T cells, the recipient individual may exhibit a T cell mediated immune response against cancer cells in the recipient individual. This may have a beneficial effect on the cancer condition in the individual.

Cancer conditions may be characterised by the abnormal proliferation of malignant cancer cells and may include leukaemias, such as AML, CML, ALL and CLL, lymphomas, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and solid cancers such as sarcomas, skin cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, uterus cancer, ovary cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, head and neck cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreas cancer, renal cancer, adrenal cancer, stomach cancer, testicular cancer, cancer of the gall bladder and biliary tracts, thyroid cancer, thymus cancer, cancer of bone, and cerebral cancer, as well as cancer of unknown primary (CUP).

Cancer cells within an individual may be immunologically distinct from normal somatic cells in the individual (i.e. the cancerous tumour may be immunogenic). For example, the cancer cells may be capable of eliciting a systemic immune response in the individual against one or more antigens expressed by the cancer cells. The tumour antigens that elicit the immune response may be specific to cancer cells or may be shared by one or more normal cells in the individual.

An individual suitable for treatment as described above may be a mammal, such as a rodent (e.g. a guinea pig, a hamster, a rat, a mouse), murine (e.g. a mouse), canine (e.g. a dog), feline (e.g. a cat), equine (e.g. a horse), a primate, simian (e.g. a monkey or ape), a monkey (e.g. marmoset, baboon), an ape (e.g. gorilla, chimpanzee, orang-utan, gibbon), or a human.

In preferred embodiments, the individual is a human. In other preferred embodiments, non-human mammals, especially mammals that are conventionally used as models for demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in humans (e.g. murine, primate, porcine, canine, or rabbit animals) may be employed.

In some embodiments, the individual may have minimal residual disease (MRD) after an initial cancer treatment.

An individual with cancer may display at least one identifiable sign, symptom, or laboratory finding that is sufficient to make a diagnosis of cancer in accordance with clinical standards known in the art. Examples of such clinical standards can be found in textbooks of medicine such as Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th Ed., Fauci A S et al., eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001. In some instances, a diagnosis of a cancer in an individual may include identification of a particular cell type (e.g. a cancer cell) in a sample of a body fluid or tissue obtained from the individual.

Treatment may be any treatment and therapy, whether of a human or an animal (e.g. in veterinary applications), in which some desired therapeutic effect is achieved, for example, the inhibition or delay of the progress of the condition, and includes a reduction in the rate of progress, a halt in the rate of progress, amelioration of the condition, cure or remission (whether partial or total) of the condition, preventing, delaying, abating or arresting one or more symptoms and/or signs of the condition or prolonging survival of a subject or patient beyond that expected in the absence of treatment.

Treatment may also be prophylactic (i.e. prophylaxis). For example, an individual susceptible to or at risk of the occurrence or re-occurrence of cancer may be treated as described herein. Such treatment may prevent or delay the occurrence or re-occurrence of cancer in the individual.

In particular, treatment may include inhibiting cancer growth, including complete cancer remission, and/or inhibiting cancer metastasis. Cancer growth generally refers to any one of a number of indices that indicate change within the cancer to a more developed form. Thus, indices for measuring an inhibition of cancer growth include a decrease in cancer cell survival, a decrease in tumour volume or morphology (for example, as determined using computed tomographic (CT), sonography, or other imaging method), a delayed tumour growth, a destruction of tumour vasculature, improved performance in delayed hypersensitivity skin test, an increase in the activity of T cells, and a decrease in levels of tumour-specific antigens. Administration of T cells modified as described herein may improve the capacity of the individual to resist cancer growth, in particular growth of a cancer already present the subject and/or decrease the propensity for cancer growth in the individual.

The modified T cells or the pharmaceutical composition comprising the modified T cells may be administered to a subject by any convenient route of administration, whether systemically/peripherally or at the site of desired action, including but not limited to; parenteral, for example, by infusion. Infusion involves the administration of the T cells in a suitable composition through a needle or catheter. Typically, T cells are infused intravenously or subcutaneously, although the T cells may be infused via other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes. Suitable infusion techniques are known in the art and commonly used in therapy (see, e.g., Rosenberg et al., New Eng. J. of Med., 319:1676, 1988).

Typically, the number of cells administered is from about 10⁵ to about 10¹⁰ per Kg body weight, typically 2×10⁸ to 2×10¹⁰ cells per individual, typically over the course of 30 minutes, with treatment repeated as necessary, for example at intervals of days to weeks. It will be appreciated that appropriate dosages of the modified T cells, and compositions comprising the modified T cells, can vary from patient to patient. Determining the optimal dosage will generally involve the balancing of the level of therapeutic benefit against any risk or deleterious side effects of the treatments of the present invention. The selected dosage level will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the activity of the particular cells, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of loss or inactivation of the cells, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds, and/or materials used in combination, and the age, sex, weight, condition, general health, and prior medical history of the patient. The amount of cells and the route of administration will ultimately be at the discretion of the physician, although generally the dosage will be to achieve local concentrations at the site of action which achieve the desired effect without causing substantial harmful or deleterious side-effects.

While the modified T cells may be administered alone, in some circumstances the modified T cells may be administered cells in combination with the target antigen, APCs displaying the target antigen, and/or IL-2 to promote expansion in vivo of the population of modified T cells. The population of modified T cells may be administered in combination with one or more other therapies, such as cytokines e.g. IL-2, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation and immuno-oncology agents, including checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-B7-H3, anti-B7-H4, anti-TIM3, anti-KIR, anti-LAG3, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA4 antibodies.

The one or more other therapies may be administered by any convenient means, preferably at a site which is separate from the site of administration of the modified T cells.

Administration of modified T cells can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently (e.g., in divided doses at appropriate intervals) throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the formulation used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician. Preferably, the modified T cells are administered in a single transfusion of a least 1×10⁹ T cells.

Other aspects of the invention provide nucleic acids and other reagents for the generation of modified T cells as described herein.

An isolated nucleic acid may comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen receptor which binds specifically to cancer cells and a nucleotide sequence encoding a cAMP PDE or a fragment of a cAMP PDE.

The coding sequences may be operably linked to the same or different promoters or other regulatory elements. Suitable promoters are well known in the art and include mammalian promoters, such as Human elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1α). In some embodiments, the coding sequences may be separated by a cleavage recognition sequence. This allows the cAMP PDE or fragment and antigen receptor to be expressed as a single fusion which undergoes intracellular cleavage by a site specific protease, such as furin, to generate the two separate proteins. Suitable cleavage recognition sequences include 2A-furin sequence. Examples of single fusions include SEQ ID NO: 6, which comprises a MAGE-A4 TCR and an N terminal PDE7A fragment separated by a furin cleavage site; and SEQ ID NO: 8, which comprises a NY-ESO TCR and an N terminal PDE7A fragment separated by a furin cleavage site.

Examples of suitable isolated nucleic acids include SEQ ID NO: 5, which encodes a fusion comprising a MAGE-A4 TCR and an N terminal PDE7A fragment separated by a furin cleavage sequence; and SEQ ID NO: 7, which encodes a fusion comprising an NY-ESO TCR and an N terminal PDE7A fragment separated by a furin cleavage site.

The nucleotide sequences encoding the antigen receptor and the cAMP PDE or fragment may be located in the same expression vector. For example, a suitable expression vector may comprise a nucleic acid as described above. Alternatively, the coding sequences may be located in separate expression vectors.

Suitable vectors are well known in the art and are described in more detail above.

Suitable vectors can be chosen or constructed, containing appropriate regulatory sequences, including promoter sequences, terminator fragments, polyadenylation sequences, enhancer sequences, marker genes and other sequences as appropriate. Preferably, the vector contains appropriate regulatory sequences to drive the expression of the nucleic acid in mammalian cells. A vector may also comprise sequences, such as origins of replication, promoter regions and selectable markers, which allow for its selection, expression and replication in bacterial hosts such as E. coli. Preferred vectors include retroviral vectors, such as lentiviral vectors, including VSVg-pseudotyped self-inactivating vectors.

A viral vector, such as a lentivirus, may be contained in a viral particle comprising the nucleic acid vector encapsulated by one or more viral proteins. A viral particle may be produced by a method comprising transducing mammalian cells with a viral vector as described herein and one or more viral packaging and envelope vectors and culturing the transduced cells in a culture medium, such that the cells produce lentiviral particles that are released into the medium.

Following release of viral particles, the culture medium comprising the viral particles may be collected and, optionally the viral particles may be concentrated.

Following production and optional concentration, the viral particles may be stored, for example by freezing at −80° C. ready for use in transducing T cells.

Other aspects and embodiments of the invention provide the aspects and embodiments described above with the term “comprising” replaced by the term “consisting of” and the aspects and embodiments described above with the term “comprising” replaced by the term “consisting essentially of”.

It is to be understood that the application discloses all combinations of any of the above aspects and embodiments described above with each other, unless the context demands otherwise. Similarly, the application discloses all combinations of the preferred and/or optional features either singly or together with any of the other aspects, unless the context demands otherwise.

Modifications of the above embodiments, further embodiments and modifications thereof will be apparent to the skilled person on reading this disclosure, and as such, these are within the scope of the present invention.

All documents and sequence database entries mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

“and/or” where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. For example “A and/or B” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if each is set out individually herein.

Certain aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example and with reference to the figures described above.

Experiments

1. Materials and Methods

1.1 Lentiviral Vectors and Viral Particle Production

The lentiviral system was a 3^(rd) generation VSVg-pseudotyped self-inactivating vector used to express phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4C or PDE7A containing an N-terminal human Influenza hemagglutinin tag or PDE7A or a fragment of PDE7A all in tandem with the NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR α- and β-chains from the EF1α promoter. Each transgene was separated by a 2A-furin sequence.

The plasmid pELNS-ADB1076 comprises a PDE4C (FIG. 1a ) or PDE7A (FIG. 1b ) upstream of the TCR. In addition to the EF-1a promoter and downstream PDE and TCR transgenes, various elements representing lentivirus and bacterial plasmid features are shown. Maps were generated with the CLC Main Workbench software version 7.6.1.

Lentiviral particles were produced by transfecting HEK 293T cells with a 3 plasmid system encoding the packaging and envelope elements as well as the lentivector plasmid using the Turbofect transfection reagent (ThermoScientific). Supernatants were collected 48-72 hours after transfection, centrifuged and filtered prior to overnight concentration at 10,000×g. Medium was removed so that lentiviral particles were concentrated 5-10-fold compared with the unconcentrated supernatants. Lentivirus preparations were then snap-frozen on dry ice and stored at −80° C. until used.

1.2 PBMC Isolation and T Cell Expansion

PBMCs isolated from the venous blood of healthy human volunteers were subjected to CD14+ cell depletion, incubated overnight with CD3/CD28 antibody coated beads overnight in IMDM medium (Gibco) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% penicillin and streptomycin and 1% L-glutamine in the presence of IL-2, followed by lentiviral transduction to express either the enhanced affinity NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR or the NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR expressed in tandem with HA-PDE7A, HA-PDE4C, PDE7A or a fragment of PDE7A. T cells were then expanded in culture for 14 days and TCR transduction levels were assessed by flow cytometry by staining for Vβ313.1 (TRBV 6-9).

Lentiviral transduction was performed using the 4 vector system described in Dull, T., et al (1998). J. Virol. 72, 8463-8471.

1.3 Cancer Cells

NY-ESO1-positive A375 melanoma cells purchased from the ATCC (CRL-1619) were cultured in RPMI 1640 (Gibco) supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% penicillin and streptomycin and 1% L-glutamine (R10). A375 melanoma cells were harvested using Trypsin/0.25% EDTA and washed prior to use as targets in T cell activation assays.

1.4 Reagents

Adenosine, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and forskolin were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Adenosine powder was diluted in 0.13 M NH₄OH diluted in PBS to a final concentration of 25 mM. Forskolin was diluted in dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) at 100 mM. Prostaglandin E2 was diluted in PBS containing 10% ethanol at 285 μM. Each reagent was used at the final concentrations indicated in section 2.

1.5 IFN-γ ELISA Assay and Cytokine Measurement

A375 melanoma target cells were harvested, resuspended and plated out in 96 well flat bottom plates at 50,000 target cells/well. T cells were either used fresh following expansion or cryopreserved, thawed and washed. T cells were rested for approximately 2 hours at 37° C. in R10 medium, before plating out at a concentration of 120,000-200,000 T cells/well.

Adenosine, PGE2 or forskolin were added at the indicated final concentration to make the final volume to 200 μl/well. Each assay condition was performed in triplicates. Cells were cultured for 48 hours at 37° C. and supernatants were collected before freezing and storing at −20° C. Prior to any assay, the plates were thawed before centrifuging. Supernatants were then transferred to new 96 well plates for subsequent use in assays.

IFN-γ concentrations were determined using the human DuoSet ELISA kits (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer's instructions using 96 well half area plates. The assays were developed using commercial TMB substrate solution and the reaction stopped with 1M H₂SO₄. Assays were read using the Spectrostar Omega at 450 nm with wavelength correction set to 540 nm. Data were analysed using Spectrostar data analysis software.

1.6 Time-Resolved Cytotoxicity Assays

IncuCyte™ FLR technology (Essen Bioscience) enables direct visualisation of caspase-3/7 dependent apoptosis by microscopy at 37° C. in real time. Kinetic measurement of apoptosis is made using CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent (Essen Biosciences) which couples the activated caspase-3/7 recognition motif (DEVD) to Nuncview™ 488, a DNA intercalating dye. When added to tissue culture medium, this inert and non-fluorescent substrate crosses the cell membrane where it is cleaved by activated caspase-3/7 resulting in the release of the DNA dye and green fluorescent staining of the nuclear DNA. Kinetic activation of caspase-3/7 can be monitored morphologically using live cell imaging, and quantified using IncuCyte object counting algorithm as the number of fluorescent objects per mm². Apoptotic T cells are gated out the analysis by size exclusion setting filter threshold at 100 μm².

IncuCyte assays were carried out as follows. Briefly, 24 hours prior to assay set up, A375 melanoma target cells were plated at 15,000-20,000 cells per well in 50 μl R10. On the day of the assay, prior to adding the effector cells, 50 μl per well of assay medium containing 10 μM CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent in the presence or absence of forskolin or PGE2. Non-transduced and transduced effector cells were plated at 60,000 cells per well in 50 μl assay medium, in triplicate wells, to give a final volume of 150 μl. The IncuCyte was set to take images of each well using a 10-fold magnification every 3-4 hours over 96 hours (4 days) at 37° C./5% CO₂.

2. Results

2.1 Target Cell Killing Kinetics of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and PDE7A

The ability of T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR or NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR in tandem with HA-PDE7A to induce apoptosis of A375 target cells was measured by time-resolved cytotoxicity assay. 60,000 T cells with different transduction states (Non-transduced (NTDs), c259 TCR (ADB869), c259 TCR+PDE7A (ADB1077)) were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 15,000 cells per well 24 hours prior to the assay. CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent was added to all wells at a final concentration of 3.3 μM. Images were taken at intervals of 4 hours over a duration of 96 hours. The number of objects/mm², a measure of target cells undergoing apoptosis, was determined for each image and plotted against time.

T cells transduced with NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR in tandem with HA-PDE7A showed an improved basal ability to induce apoptosis in A375 target cells (FIGS. 2a and 2b ). Data points show mean values and standard error to the mean of triplicate wells. FIGS. 2a and 2b represent experiments performed with T cells isolated from 2 healthy donors. Data shown are representative of 5 different experiments.

2.2 Target Cell Killing Kinetics of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and PDE7A in the Presence of PGE2

The ability of T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR or NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR in tandem with HA-PDE7A to induce apoptosis of A375 target cells was measured by time-resolved cytotoxicity assay in the absence and presence of prostaglandin E2.

60,000 T cells with different transduction status were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 15,000 per well 24 hours prior to the assay. Prostaglandin E2 was added at a final concentration of 1 μM in each well. CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent was added to all wells at a final concentration of 3.3 μM. Images were taken at intervals of 4 hours over a duration of 96 hours. The number of objects/mm², a measure of target cells undergoing apoptosis, was determined for each image and plotted against time.

Target A375 cells alone, non-transduced cells (NTDs), T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR (ADB869), and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and PDE7A (ADB1077) were investigated for their ability to induce apoptosis of the target cells in the absence (closed symbols) or presence (open symbols) of PGE2. The overexpression of PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells confers resistance to the inhibitory effects of PGE2 (FIGS. 3a and 3b ). The T cells transduced with PDE7A showed killing kinetics with PGE2 present similar to that shown by PDE7A/NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR T cells in the absence of PGE2.

Data points show mean values and standard error to the mean of triplicate wells. FIGS. 3a and 3b represent experiments performed with T cells isolated from 2 healthy donors. Data shown are representative of 6 experiments.

2.3 Target Cell Killing Kinetics of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and PDE7A in the Presence of Forskolin

The ability of T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR or NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR in tandem with HA-PDE7A to induce apoptosis of A375 target cells was measured by time-resolved cytotoxicity assay in the absence and presence of forskolin.

60,000 T cells with different transduction status, as indicated in the key, were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 15,000 per well 24 hours prior to the assay. Forskolin was added at a final concentration of 30 μM in each well. CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent was added to all wells at a final concentration of 3.3 μM. Images were taken at intervals of 4 hours over a duration of 96 hours. The number of objects/mm², a measure of target cells undergoing apoptosis, was determined for each image and plotted against time.

Non-transduced cells (NTDs), T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR (ADB869), and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and PDE7A (ADB1077) were investigated for their ability to induce apoptosis of the target cells in the absence (closed symbols) or presence (open symbols) of forskolin. The overexpression of PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells confers partial resistance to the inhibitory effects of forskolin on target cell killing ability (FIGS. 4a and 4b ). Data points show mean values and standard error to the mean of triplicate wells. FIGS. 4a and 4b represent experiments performed with T cells isolated from 2 healthy donors. Data shown are representative of 6 different experiments.

2.4 IFN-γ Secretion of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and PDE7A

Forskolin, adenosine and PGE2 can increase intracellular cAMP levels. To investigate the effect of these mediators on IFN-γ secretion from T cells, cytokine analysis was performed on T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and PDE7A by sandwich ELISA.

200,000 T cells isolated from a healthy donor transduced with lentivectors expressing the NY-ESO1-specific TCR c259 alone or in tandem with phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A) were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 50,000 per well. Forskolin was added at a final concentration of 30 μM, adenosine at 250 μM and prostaglandin E2 at 1 or 0.3 μM. T cells and target cells were co-cultured for 48 hours and the supernatants were collected for cytokine analysis.

T cells expressing PDE7A are partially resistant to the inhibition of IFN-γ release by forskolin (FIG. 5a ), adenosine (FIG. 5b ), and PGE2 (FIG. 5c ). Data shown are representative of 6 experiments.

2.5 IFN-γ Secretion of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and PDE4C

Sandwich ELISA was employed to investigate the effect of forskolin and PGE2 on IFN-γ secretion from T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and PDE4C.

200,000 T cells isolated from a healthy donor transduced with lentivectors expressing the NY-ESO1-specific TCR c259 alone or in tandem with phosphodiesterase 4C (PDE4C) were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 50,000 per well. Forskolin was added at a final concentration of 30 μM and prostaglandin E2 at 1 μM. T cells and target cells were co-cultured for 48 hours and the supernatants were collected for cytokine analysis.

T cells expressing PDE4C show partial resistance to the inhibitory effects of PGE2 and forskolin on IFN-γ release (FIGS. 6A and 6B). FIGS. 6A and 6B represent experiments performed with T cells isolated from 2 healthy donors.

2.6 Biological Titre of Lentiviral Constructs Containing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and Full-Length or Truncated Forms of PDE7A

The various lentiviral preparations were titrated on PBL to determine their effective biological titre. T cell transduction levels were determined by staining for the Vβ chain of the TCR (Vβ13.1).

When using the same concentration of lentivirus, T cell transduction was always much lower for the NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+ full length PDE7A transduced cells compared to cells transduced with NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR alone, while the transduction was at an intermediate level for NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+ truncated PDE7A transduced cells (FIG. 7). The differences in transduction efficiency can probably be explained by the different sizes of the constructs.

2.7 Transduction Efficiency and TCR Expression Level of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and Full-Length or Truncated Forms of PDE7A

T cell transduction levels were determined by staining for the Vβ chain of the TCR (Vβ13.1). The amount of virus used for transduction was normalised after lentiviral titration leading to very similar transduction efficiencies for all constructs (FIG. 8A). The TCR expression level as measured by median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of Vβ13.1 was considerably lower for T cells transduced with NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+ full length PDE7A compared to T cells transduced with NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR alone (FIG. 8B). T cells transduced with NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR+ truncated PDE7A showed intermediate TCR expression levels.

2.8 Target Cell Killing Kinetics of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and Full-Length or Truncated Forms of PDE7A in the Presence of PGE2

The ability of T cells expressing (i) NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR (ii) NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and full-length PDE7A or (iii) NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and truncated PDE7A to induce apoptosis of A375 target cells was measured by time-resolved cytotoxicity assay in the absence and presence of prostaglandin E2.

60,000 T cells with different transduction status were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NY-ESO+ A375 melanoma target cells seeded at 20,000 per well 24 hours prior to the assay. Prostaglandin E2 was added at a final concentration of 1 μM in each well. CellPlayer™ 96-Well Kinetic Caspase-3/7 reagent was added to all wells at a final concentration of 3.3 μM. Images were taken at intervals of 3 hours over a duration of 96 hours. The number of objects/mm², a measure of target cells undergoing apoptosis, was determined for each image and plotted against time.

Non-transduced T cells (NTD), T cells expressing NY-ESO1²⁵⁹ TCR, T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and full-length PDE7A and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and truncated PDE7A were investigated for their ability to induce apoptosis of the target cells in the absence (closed symbols) or presence (open symbols) of PGE2 (FIG. 9A). The overexpression of both full-length and truncated PDE7A in NY-ESO specific T cells confers resistance to the inhibitory effects of PGE2 (FIG. 9c ) although the effect was slightly reduced for the truncated PDE7A. T cells transduced with both forms of PDE7A showed killing kinetics with PGE2 present that were similar to that shown by the corresponding cells in the absence of PGE2 (FIG. 9B).

Data points show mean values and standard error to the mean of triplicate wells. FIG. 9 represents experiments performed with T cells isolated from one healthy donors. Data shown are representative of 4 experiments.

2.9 IFN-γ Secretion of T Cells Expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) and Full-Length or Truncated Forms of PDE7A.

Sandwich ELISA was employed to investigate the effect of forskolin and PGE2 on IFN-γ secretion from T cells expressing NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR, T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and full-length PDE7A, and T cells expressing both NY-ESO1^(c259) TCR and truncated PDE7A.

120,000 T cells isolated from a healthy donor transduced with lentivectors expressing the NY-ESO1-specific TCR c259 alone or in tandem with full-length phosphodiesterase 7A or truncated phosphodiesterase 7A were added to each assay well and co-incubated with HLA-A2+/NYESO+ A375 melanoma cells seeded at 50,000 per well. Forskolin was added at a final concentration of 50 μM and prostaglandin E2 at 0.3 μM and 1 μM. T cells and target cells were co-cultured for 48 hours and the supernatants were collected for cytokine analysis.

T cells expressing both forms of PDE7A showed resistance to the inhibitory effects of PGE2 and forskolin on IFN-γ release (FIG. 10). FIG. 10 represents experiments performed with T cells isolated from 2 healthy donors. Data shown are representative of 4 experiments.

Sequences MEVCYQLPVLPLDRPVPQHVLSRRGAISFSSSSALFGCPNPRQLSQRRGAISYDSSDQTALYIRMLGDVRVR SRAGFESERRGSHPYIDFRIFHSQSEIEVSVSARNIRRLLSFQRYLRSSRFFRGTAVSNSLNILDDDYNGQAKC MLEKVGNWNFDIFLFDRLTNGNSLVSLTFHLFSLHGLIEYFHLDMMKLRRFLVMIQEDYHSQNPYHNAVH AADVTQAMHCYLKEPKLANSVTPWDILLSLIAAATHDLDHPGVNQPFLIKTNHYLATLYKNTSVLENHHW RSAVGLLRESGLFSHLPLESRQQMETQIGALILATDISRQNEYLSLFRSHLDRGDLCLEDTRHRHLVLQMAL KCADICNPCRTWELSKQWSEKVTEEFFHQGDIEKKYHLGVSPLCDRHTESIANIQIGFMTYLVEPLFTEWAR FSNTRLSQTMLGHVGLNKAS WKGLQREQSSSEDTDAAFELNSQLLPQENRLS SEQ ID NO: 1 (PDE7A) NP_001229247.1 MEPPTVPSERSLSLSLPGPREGQATLKPPPQHLWRQPRTPIRIQQRGYSDSAERAERERQPHRPIERADAMDT SDRPGLRTTRMSWPSSFHGTGTGSGGAGGGSSRRFEAENGPTPSPGRSPLDSQASPGLVLHAGAATSQRRE SFLYRSDSDYDMSPKTMSRNSSVTSEAHAEDLIVTPFAQVLASLRSVRSNFSLLTNVPVPSNKRSPLGGPTP VCKATLSEETCQQLARETLEELDWCLEQLETMQTYRSVSEMASHKFKRMLNRELTHLSEMSRSGNQVSEY ISTTFLDKQNEVEIPSPTMKEREKQQAPRPRPSQPPPPPVPHLQPMSQITGLKKLMHSNSLNNSNIPRFGVKT DQEELLAQELENLNKWGLNIFCVSDYAGGRSLTCIMYMIFQERDLLKKFRIPVDTMVTYMLTLEDHYHAD VAYHNSLHAADVLQSTHVLLA TPALDAVFTDLEILAALFAAAIHDVDHPGVSNQFLINTNSELALMYNDESVLENHHLAVGFKLLQEDNCDIF QNLSKRQRQSLRKMVIDMVLATDMSKHMTLLADLKTMVETKKVTSSGVLLLDNYSDRIQVLRNMVHCA DLSNPTKPLELYRQWTDRIMAEFFQQGDRERERGMEISPMCDKHTASVEKSQVGFIDYIVHPLWETWADL VHPDAQEILDTLEDNRDWYYSAIRQSPSPPPEEESRGPGHPPLPDKFQFELTLEEEEEEEISMAQIPCTAQEAL TAQGLSGVEEALDATIAWEASPAQESLEVMAQEASLEAELEAVYLTQQAQSTGSAPVAPDEFSSREEFVVA VSHSSPSALALQSPLLPAWRTLSVSEHAPGLPGLPSTAAEVEAQREHQAAKRACSACAGTFGEDTSALPAP GGGGSGGDPT SEQ ID NO: 2 (PDE4A) NP_001104777.1 MENLGVGEGAEACSRLSRSRGRHSMTRAPKHLWRQPRRPIRIQQRFYSDPDKSAGCRERDLSPRPELRKSR LSWPVSSCRRFDLENGLSCGRRALDPQSSPGLGRIMQAPVPHSQRRESFLYRSDSDYELSPKAMSRNSSVAS DLHGEDMIVTPFAQVLASLRTVRSNVAALARQQCLGAAKQGPVGNPSSSNQLPPAEDTGQKLALETLDEL DWCLDQLETLQTRHSVGEMASNKFKRILNRELTHLSETSRSGNQVSEYISRTFLDQQTEVELPKVTAEEAPQ PMSRISGLHGLCHSASLSSATVPRFGVQTDQEEQLAKELEDTNKWGLDVFKVAELSGNRPLTAIIFSIFQERD LLKTFQIPADTLATYLLMLEGHYHANVAYHNSLHAADVAQSTHVLLATPALEAVFTDLEILAALFASAIHD VDHPGVSNQFLINTNSELALM YNDASVLENHHLAVGFKLLQAENCDIFQNLSAKQRLSLRRMVIDMVLATDMSKHMNLLADLKTMVETKK VTSLGVLLLDNYSDRIQVLQNLVHCADLSNPTKPLPLYRQWTDRIMAEFFQQGDRERESGLDISPMCDKHT ASVEKSQVGFIDYIAHPLWETWADLVHPDAQDLLDTLEDNREWYQSKIPRSPSDLTNPERDGPDRFQFELT LEEAEEEDEEEEEEGEETALAKEALELPDTELLSPEAGPDPGDLPLDNQRT SEQ ID NO: 3 (PDE4C) NP_000914.2 MEVCYQLPVLPLDRPVPQHVLSRRGAISFSSSSALFGCPNPRQLSQRRGAISYDSSDQTALYIRMLGDVRV RSRAGFESERRGSHPYIDFRIFHSQSEIEVSVSARNIRRLLSFQRYLRSSRFFRGTAVSNSLNILDDDYNGQAK SEQ ID NO: 4 non-catalytic N terminal fragment of PDE7A (repeats are underlined and PKA pseudo subtrate sites are in bold) ATGGAAGTGTGCTACCAGCTGCCCGTGCTGCCCCTGGATAGACCTGTGCCTCAGCATGTGCTGAGCAG AAGAGGCGCCATCAGCTTCAGCAGCAGCTCCGCCCTGTTCGGCTGCCCCAATCCTAGACAGCTGAGCC AGAGAAGGGGAGCCATCTCCTACGACAGCAGCGACCAGACCGCCCTGTACATCAGAATGCTGGGCGA CGTGCGCGTGCGGAGCAGAGCCGGATTTGAGAGCGAGAGAAGAGGCTCCCACCCCTACATCGACTTC CGGATCTTCCACAGCCAGAGCGAGATCGAGGTGTCCGTGTCCGCCCGGAACATCAGACGGCTGCTGAG CTTCCAGAGATACCTGAGAAGCAGCCGGTTCTTCCGGGGCACCGCCGTGTCCAACAGCCTGAACATCC TGGACGACGACTACAACGGCCAGGCCAAGCGGGCCAAGAGATCTGGATCTGGCGCGCCCGTGAAGCA GACCCTGAACTTTGACCTGCTGAAACTGGCCGGCGACGTGGAAAGCAACCCTGGCCCCATGAAGAAG CACCTGACCACCTTTCTCGTGATCCTGTGGCTGTACTTCTACCGGGGCAACGGCAAGAACCAGGTGGA ACAGAGCCCCCAGAGCCTGATCATCCTGGAAGGCAAGAACTGCACTCTGCAGTGCAACTACACCGTGT CCCCCTTCAGCAACCTGCGCTGGTACAAGCAGGATACCGGCAGAGGCCCTGTGTCCCTGACCATCCTG ACCTTCAGCGAGAACACCAAGAGCAACGGCCGGTACACCGCCACCCTGGACGCCGATACAAAGCAGA GCAGCCTGCACATCACCGCCTCCCAGCTGAGCGATAGCGCCAGCTACATCTGCGTGGTGTCCGGCGGC ACAGACAGCTGGGGCAAGCTGCAGTTTGGCGCCGGAACACAGGTGGTCGTGACCCCCGACATCCAGA ACCCTGACCCTGCCGTGTACCAGCTGCGGGACAGCAAGAGCAGCGACAAGAGCGTGTGCCTGTTCACC GACTTCGACTCCCAGACCAACGTGTCCCAGAGCAAGGACAGCGACGTGTACATCACCGACAAGACCG TGCTGGATATGCGGAGCATGGACTTCAAGAGCAATAGCGCCGTGGCCTGGTCTAACAAGAGCGACTTC GCCTGCGCCAACGCCTTCAACAACAGCATTATCCCCGAGGACACATTCTTCCCAAGCCCCGAGAGCAG CTGCGACGTGAAACTGGTGGAAAAGAGCTTCGAGACAGACACCAACCTGAATTTCCAGAACCTGAGC GTGATCGGCTTCCGGATCCTGCTGCTGAAGGTGGCCGGATTCAACCTGCTGATGACCCTGCGGCTGTG GTCCTCTGGCTCTCGGGCCAAGAGAAGCGGCAGCGGCGCCACCAATTTCAGCCTGCTGAAGCAGGCAG GGGATGTGGAAGAGAATCCCGGCCCTAGAATGGCCTCCCTGCTGTTTTTCTGCGGCGCCTTCTACCTGC TGGGGACCGGCAGCATGGACGCTGACGTGACCCAGACCCCCCGGAACAGAATCACCAAGACCGGCAA GCGGATCATGCTGGAATGCAGCCAGACAAAGGGCCACGACCGGATGTACTGGTACAGACAGGATCCA GGACTGGGCCTGAGGCTGATCTACTACAGCTTCGATGTGAAGGACATCAACAAGGGCGAGATCAGCG ACGGCTACAGCGTGTCCAGACAGGCCCAGGCCAAGTTCTCCCTGAGCCTGGAAAGCGCCATCCCCAAC CAGACCGCCCTGTACTTTTGTGCCACAAGCGGCCAGGGCGCCTACGAGGAACAGTTCTTTGGCCCTGG CACCCGGCTGACAGTGCTGGAAGATCTGAAGAACGTGTTCCCCCCAGAGGTGGCAGTGTTCGAGCCTA GCGAGGCCGAGATCTCCCACACCCAGAAAGCCACACTCGTGTGTCTGGCCACCGGATTCTACCCCGAC CATGTGGAACTGTCTTGGTGGGTCAACGGCAAAGAGGTGCACAGCGGCGTGTCCACCGATCCCCAGCC TCTGAAAGAACAGCCCGCCCTGAACGACAGCCGGTACTGCCTGAGCAGCAGACTGAGAGTGTCCGCC ACCTTCTGGCAGAACCCCAGAAATCACTTCAGATGCCAGGTGCAGTTTTACGGCCTGAGCGAGAACGA CGAGTGGACCCAGGATAGGGCCAAGCCCGTGACTCAGATCGTGTCTGCCGAAGCCTGGGGCAGAGCC GATTGCGGCTTTACCAGCGAGAGCTACCAGCAGGGCGTGCTGAGCGCCACCATCCTGTACGAGATCCT GCTGGGCAAGGCCACACTGTACGCCGTGCTGGTGTCTGCCCTGGTGCTGATGGCCATGGTCAAGCGGA AGGACAGCCGGGGCTGA SEQ ID NO: 5 coding sequence for truncated PDE7A with MAGE-A4 TCR MEVCYQLPVLPLDRPVPQHVLSRRGAISFSSSSALFGCPNPRQLSQRRGAISYDSSDQTALYIRMLGDVRVR SRAGFESERRGSHPYIDFRIFHSQSEIEVSVSARNIRRLLSFQRYLRSSRFFRGTAVSNSLNILDDDYNGQAKR AKRSGSGAPVKQTLNFDLLKLAGDVESNPGPMKKHLTTFLVILWLYFYRGNGKNQVEQSPQSLILEGKNC TLQCNYTVSPFSNLRWYKQDTGRGPVSLTILTFSENTKSNGRYTATLDADTKQSSLHITASQLSDSASYICV VSGGTDSWGKLQFGAGTQVVVTPDIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDK TVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIG FRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSSGSRAKRSGSGATNFSLLKQAGDVEENPGPRMASLLFFCGAFYLLGTGSM DADVTQTPRNRITKTGKRIMLECSQTKGHDRMYWYRQDPGLGLRLIYYSFDVKDINKGEISDGYSVSRQA QAKFSLSLESAIPNQTALYFCATSGQGAYEEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLKNVFPREVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLV CLATGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQF YGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMA MVKRKDSRG* SEQ ID NO: 6 amino acid sequence for truncated PDE7A (underlined) with MAGE-A4 TCR ATGGAAGTGTGCTACCAGCTGCCCGTGCTGCCCCTGGATAGACCTGTGCCTCAGCATGTGCTGAGCAG AAGAGGCGCCATCAGCTTCAGCAGCAGCTCCGCCCTGTTCGGCTGCCCCAATCCTAGACAGCTGAGCC AGAGAAGGGGAGCCATCTCCTACGACAGCAGCGACCAGACCGCCCTGTACATCAGAATGCTGGGCGA CGTGCGCGTGCGGAGCAGAGCCGGATTTGAGAGCGAGAGAAGAGGCTCCCACCCCTACATCGACTTC CGGATCTTCCACAGCCAGAGCGAGATCGAGGTGTCCGTGTCCGCCCGGAACATCAGACGGCTGCTGAG CTTCCAGAGATACCTGAGAAGCAGCCGGTTCTTCCGGGGCACCGCCGTGTCCAACAGCCTGAACATCC TGGACGACGACTACAACGGCCAGGCCAAGCGGGCCAAGAGATCTGGAAGCGGAGCCCCTGTGAAGCA GACCCTGAACTTCGATCTGCTGAAACTGGCCGGCGACGTGGAAAGCAACCCTGGCCCCATGGAAACAC TGCTGGGACTGCTGATCCTGTGGCTGCAGCTGCAGTGGGTGTCCAGCAAGCAGGAGGTGACCCAGATC CCTGCCGCCCTGAGCGTGCCCGAGGGCGAGAACCTGGTGCTGAACTGCAGCTTCACCGACTCCGCCAT CTACAACCTGCAGTGGTTCCGGCAGGACCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGACCAGCCTGCTGCTGATCCAGAGCA GCCAGCGGGAGCAGACCAGCGGACGGCTGAACGCCAGCCTGGACAAGAGCAGCGGCCGGAGCACCCT GTACATCGCCGCCAGCCAGCCCGGCGACAGCGCCACCTACCTGTGCGCTGTGCGGCCTCTGTACGGCG GCAGCTACATCCCCACCTTCGGCAGAGGCACCAGCCTGATCGTGCACCCCTACATCCAGAACCCCGAC CCCGCCGTGTACCAGCTGCGGGACAGCAAGAGCAGCGACAAGTCTGTGTGCCTGTTCACCGACTTCGA CAGCCAGACCAATGTGAGCCAGAGCAAGGACAGCGACGTGTACATCACCGACAAGACCGTGCTGGAC ATGCGGAGCATGGACTTCAAGAGCAACAGCGCCGTGGCCTGGAGCAACAAGAGCGACTTCGCCTGCG CCAACGCCTTCAACAACAGCATTATCCCCGAGGACACCTTCTTCCCCAGCCCCGAGAGCAGCTGCGAC GTGAAACTGGTGGAGAAGAGCTTCGAGACCGACACCAACCTGAACTTCCAGAACCTGAGCGTGATCG GCTTCAGAATCCTGCTGCTGAAGGTGGCCGGATTCAACCTGCTGATGACCCTGCGGCTGTGGAGCAGC GGCTCCCGGGCCAAGAGAAGCGGATCCGGCGCCACCAACTTCAGCCTGCTGAAGCAGGCCGGAGACG TGGAAGAAAACCCTGGCCCTAGGATGAGCATCGGCCTGCTGTGCTGCGCCGCCCTGAGCCTGCTGTGG GCAGGACCCGTGAACGCCGGAGTGACCCAGACCCCCAAGTTCCAGGTGCTGAAAACCGGCCAGAGCA TGACCCTGCAGTGCGCCCAGGACATGAACCACGAGTACATGAGCTGGTATCGGCAGGACCCCGGCAT GGGCCTGCGGCTGATCCACTACTCTGTGGGAGCCGGAATCACCGACCAGGGCGAGGTGCCCAACGGCT ACAATGTGAGCCGGAGCACCACCGAGGACTTCCCCCTGCGGCTGCTGAGCGCTGCCCCCAGCCAGACC AGCGTGTACTTCTGCGCCAGCAGCTATGTGGGCAACACCGGCGAGCTGTTCTTCGGCGAGGGCTCCAG GCTGACCGTGCTGGAGGACCTGAAGAACGTGTTCCCCCCCGAGGTGGCCGTGTTCGAGCCCAGCGAGG CCGAGATCAGCCACACCCAGAAGGCCACACTGGTGTGTCTGGCCACCGGCTTCTACCCCGACCACGTG GAGCTGTCCTGGTGGGTGAACGGCAAGGAGGTGCACAGCGGCGTGTCTACCGACCCCCAGCCCCTGA AGGAGCAGCCCGCCCTGAACGACAGCCGGTACTGCCTGTCCTCCAGACTGAGAGTGAGCGCCACCTTC TGGCAGAACCCCCGGAACCACTTCCGGTGCCAGGTGCAGTTCTACGGCCTGAGCGAGAACGACGAGT GGACCCAGGACCGGGCCAAGCCCGTGACCCAGATTGTGAGCGCCGAGGCCTGGGGCAGGGCCGACTG CGGCTTCACCAGCGAGAGCTACCAGCAGGGCGTGCTGAGCGCCACCATCCTGTACGAGATCCTGCTGG GCAAGGCCACCCTGTACGCCGTGCTGGTGTCTGCCCTGGTGCTGATGGCTATGGTGAAGCGGAAGGAC AGCCGGGGCTAA SEQ ID NO: 7 coding sequence for truncated PDE7A with NY-ESO TCR MEVCYQLPVLPLDRPVPQHVILSRRGAISFSSSSALFGCPNPRQLSQRRGAISYDSSDQTALYIRMLGDVRVR SRAGFESERRGSHPYIDFRIFHSQSEIEVSVSARNIRRLLSFQRYLRSSRFFRGTAVSNSLNILDDDYNGQAKR AKRSGSGATVKQTLNFDLLKLAGDVESNPGPMETLLGLLILWLQLQWVSSKQEVTQIPAALSVPEGENLVL NCSFTDSAIYNLQWFRQDPGKGLTSLLLIQSSQREQTSGRLNASLDKSSGRSTLYIAASQPGDSATYLCAVR PLYGGSYIPTFGRGTSLIVHPYIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDSKVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLD MRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILL LKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSSGSRAKRSGSGATNFSLLKQAGDVEENPGPRMSIGLLCCAALSLLWAGPVNAGV TQTPKFQVLKTGQSMTLQCAQDMNHEYMSWYRQDPGMGLRLIHYSVGAGITDQGEVPNGYNVSRSTTED FPLRLLSAAPSQTSVYFCASSYVGNTGELFFGEGSRLTVLEDLKNVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLA TGFYPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYG LSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSESYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMV KRKDSRG* SEQ ID NO: 8 amino acid sequence for truncated PDE7A (underlined) with NY-ESO TCR 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of treating cancer comprising administering to an individual with cancer a population of modified T cells which express: (i) an antigen receptor which binds specifically to tumour antigens on cancer cells; and (ii) a cAMP phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A) or a cAMP phosphodiesterase 4C (PDE4C) or a fragment thereof, wherein said cells comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding the cAMP phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A) or the cAMP phosphodiesterase 4C (PDE4C).
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the cancer is characterized by the presence of one or more cancer cells which bind to said antigen receptor.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the antigen receptor binds specifically to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) displaying a peptide fragment of a tumour antigen expressed by the cancer cells.
 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the tumour antigen is NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A4 or MAGE-A10.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the cancer cells are melanoma cells. 